Renovator for neckties



y 1939- D. WEISBERGER 2,160,769

RENOVATOR FOR NECKTIES Filed Nov. 23, 1938 INVENTOR u/o fl/e/kd 9Z1. ATTORNEYS Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to renovators for neckties, and particularly to an improved device adapted to remove wrinkles in the necktie fabric and structure and to restore it substantially to its original condition.

It is a common experience that neckties are subject to wrinkling of the fabric, resulting from knotting, and that ties of the best available construction deteriorate rapidly in appearance. Attempts to remove the wrinkles with a heated iron result in sharp creases at the edges, and often impart a shiny appearance to the fabric. The original fresh appearance of the tie cannot 1e restored in that way. Devices adapted to apply dry heat by inserting an electrically heated metallic form in the tie have been developed, but such means do not successfuly solve the problem of restoring the appearance of the tie. Dry heat does not remove wrinkles successfully, and if sufficient heat is applied the fabric is easily damaged.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective device whereby moist heat may be applied to the tie to effectively remove wrinkles from the fabric and to restore the fresh appearance thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a view in perspective showing the device with the heating element partially with drawn therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the heating element;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the foraminous form;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the device; and

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a casing adapted to be disposed about the tie and heater to facilitate the operation.

Neckties, as commonly constructed, consist of folded fabric, usually silk, rayon, wool or mixtures thereof. Frequently a stiffening layer of wool or cotton fabric is disposed within the tie. Ordinarily the structure is such that the body of the tie is open at its lower end, so that a heating device may be inserted. The knotting of the tie results in wrinkles in the fabric, which quickly destroy its fresh appearance.

The present invention depends upon the application of moist heat to the fabric by a device adapted to be inserted within the tie and to supply such heat. I have discovered that moist heat thus applied readily removes the wrinkles from the fabric and lining material, if any, so that the initial fresh appearance of the tie is substantially restored.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a metal form 5, provided with a multiplicity of perforations 6. The form is preferably flattened on one s de and rounded on the other, and is adapted to be inserted through the lower open end of the tie. It is tapered to conform substantially to the usual shape of four.-ln-hand ties which, when the device is inserted, are straightened and held in substantially their original shape. The rounded lateral edges of the device prevent the formation of sharp creases at the edges of the tie. The form 5 may be made of any suitable non-inflammable substance or composition.

Within the metal form 5, I provide a layer of water absorbent material I, employing asbestos preferably in order to prevent possible danger from local overheating. It is not, however, absolutely essential to employ asbestos, since in use the metal form is first dipped in water or other wise moistened. It is not necessary to saturate the material thoroughly, a relatively small amount of water being preferred so that the fabric of the tie will not be wet.

In the operation of the device, the moisture is converted into steam by the internal application of heat. The steam evolved by heating passes through the perforations 6 into the fabric of the tie, and the application of moist heat with such manipulation as may be necessary to smooth the fabric on the metal form quickly eliminates wrinkles from the fabric.

To convert the moisture into steam, I provide a removable heating element 8, consis ing preferably of a metal casing 9 with an enclrsed highresistance wire Ill surrounded by suitable insulating material II. The heating element may be of any suitable form, but to ensure substantial distribution of the heat it is preferably made to conform generally to the metal form 5, being, however, of a size to permit inseri'icn within the layer 1 of water-absorbing material. The wire 80 is adapted, upon the application if electrica current, to become highly heated. Such heating elements are well known in the art. The terminals of the wire l0, which may be in the form of a loop or coil, are connected to conductors l2 which are adapted to be connected to any suitable source of electrical current, either direct or alternating, to afford the heat necessary for the application of the device.

In using the device as described, the layer 1 within the metal form 5 is moistened, the heating element is then inserted, and the entire device is disposed within the tie where it is permitted to remain until the steam has penetrated the fabric and the wrinkles have been removed therefrom. Thereupon the device may be Withdrawn.

To facilitate the operation, I may utilize a casing comprising hinged sections l3 and I4, one section being flat and the other shaped generally to conform with the rounded surface of the metal form 5. The sections i3 and 14 may be covered, if desired, with layers of a suitable fabric 15. The sections may be closed about the tie after the metal form 5 has been inserted therein, and will help to retain moist heat in the fabric of the tie until the wrinkles have been removed. The casing is useful also in removing wrinkles from the short end of the tie, which is usually too narrow to permit the insertion of metal form 5. In this case, the end of the tie placed on the fiat section l3, and the fiat s de of the metal form 5 is disposed thereon, after which the sections 53 and are brought together. The steam evolved will serve to remove wrinkles from the short end of the tie, restoring it substantially to its original conditon. If desired, a clip or locking device [6 may be provided to hold the sections l3 and 4 together after they have been disposed about the tie, thus applying a slight pressure to the fabric of the tie during the steaming operation.

have found that ties badly wrinkled and distorted extended use can be restored quickly and ctively by the appiication of my improved renovator. The moist heat, applied as described, passes into and through the fabric of the tie, and all wrinkles can be smoothed out eliminated. Even though the fabric is somewhat worn by constant knotting, the tie will have a substantially improved appearance after treatment with moist heat in the manner described.

Various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without arting from the invention or sacrificing any advantages thereof.

I claim:

1 A renovator for neckties comprising a foninous form adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means within the form for holding water in suspension, and an electric I eiernent within the form and sufficiently case to the water absorbent means that heat generated thereby will vaporize water held in suspension by said absorbent means and produce steam to pass through the openings in the form and into contact wi h a necktie thereon.

2. A renovator for neckties comprising a foincus form adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means within the form for holding water in suspension, and a removable electric heating element within the form and sufficiently closeto the water absorbent means t generated thereby will vaporize water in suspension by said absorbent means and steam to pass through the openings in the form and into contact with a necktie thereon.

3. A renovator for neckties comprising a foraminous form having a flattened surface and an opposed rounded surface, adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means within the form for holding water in suspension, and an electric heating element within the form and sufiiciently close to the water absorbent means that heat generated thereby will vaporize Water held in suspension by said absorbent means and roduce steam to pass through the openings in the form and into contact with a necktie thereon.

4. A renovator for neckties comprising a foraminous form of generally triangular shape in cross section, adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means Within the form for holding water in suspension, and an electric heating element within the form and sufiicicntly close to the water absorbent means that heat generated thereby will vaporize water held in suspension by said absorbent means and produce steam to pass through the openings in the form and into contact with a necktie thereon.

5. A renovator for neckties comprising a foraminous form adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means within the form for holding water in suspension, and an electric heating element within the water absorbent means to supply heat to vaporize water held in suspension by the water absorbent means and produce steam to pass through the openings in the form and into contact with a necktie thereon.

6. A renovator for neckties comprising a foraminous form adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means within the form for holding water in suspension, said water absorbent means having a pocket therein, and an electric heating element in said pocket to supply heat to vaporize water held in suspension by the water absorbent means and produce steam to pass through the openings in the form and in contact with a necktie thereon.

'Z. A renovator for neckties comprising a foraminous form adapted to be inserted in a necktie, water absorbent means Within the form for holding water in suspension, said Water absorbent means having a pocket therein, and an electric heating element removably insertable in said pocket to supply heat to vaporize water held in suspension by the water absorbent means and produce steam to pass through the openings in he form and in contact with a necktie thereon.

8. A renovator for neckties comprising a forarninous form adapted to be inserted in the tie, water absorbent means within the form, an electric heating element adapted to supply heat to evaporate water from the water absorbent means, and a hinged casing adapted to surround the tie when the latter is disposed on the form.

9. A renovator for neckties comprising a foraminous form adapted to be inserted in the tie, water absorbent means wi hin the form, an electric heating element adapted to supply heat to evaporate water from the water absorbent means, a hinged casing adapted to surround the tie when the latter is disposed on the form, and means to lock the casing.

DAVID WEISBERGER. 

